Since I first blogged about Doug Wilkins’ plans to set up a Wellington Writers’ Colony, modelled on the Sanchez Grotto Annex which he set up in San Francisco, Doug has been working determinedly to get over various hurdles and set the venture up. And now he has, which is all the more creditable in the current economic climate. Here’s the press release Doug sent out to mark the occasion. If you’d like to know more, you can contact Doug by emailing dbwilkins@gmail.com or calling 021-138-5050.
Press Release for The Cuba Street Garret
Here comes The Cuba Street Garret, a combination of solitude and community for the toner-stained wretches we know as writers. We have purchased a flat on Cuba Street, and are outfitting it with offices so that writers can move in and get to work. Heat, Internet, and cleaning services will be provided, of course. This workspace will be called The Cuba Street Garret because Cuba Street is where it’s located, and ‘Garret’ since there are few writers who can even afford a garret these days, but this would perhaps make that dream possible for several of them.
Costs are, naturally, a primary concern for everyone, so the rent will be only $80 per week; it could well be less than that once the fourteen (14) offices are filled.
The Cuba Street Garret will be up and running as early as, no fooling, April 1st.
And there will be no lengthy leases. Writers will never be asked to commit to more than one month at a time. The success of The Cuba Street Garret will come from the positive atmosphere therein.
Further Information
Members of The Garret will meet for lunch once a month.
They will have an open house celebration, ‘The Welcome Interruption I,’ from 5.30 until 8.30 on Friday evening, 17th April.
Located in the Watkins Building (corner of Cuba and Vivian Streets).
The Cuba Street Garret has a progenitor of a sort back in San Francisco, The Sanchez Grotto Annex, if anyone wants to see how a writers’ workspace works. Those offices now have a waiting list, and we expect to have the same level of participation in Wellington.
Writers who wish to learn more or visit The Garret should contact Doug Wilkins: dbwilkins@gmail.com and/or 021-138-5050.
